Exposure attachment for cameras.



R. TROXELL.

EXPOSURE ATTACHMENT FOR CAMERAS.

APPLICATION mm ocr. s. |914.

WITNESSES WMZWM.

Pxitented July 25, 1916.

A TTOHNEYS REW TROXELL, 0F SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

EXPOSURE ATTACHMENT EUR CAMERAS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 25, 1916.

Application led October 6, 1914. Serial No. 865,228.

To all whom it may concern Beit known thatI, REW TRoxELL, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Exposure Attachments for Cameras, of which the following is a specification.

This-invention relates to exposure attachments for cameras.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus whereby the shutter of the camera may be conveniently manipulated from a distance, in order that the operator may himself appear inthe picture.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved device of the class specified having an air compressor and electrically operated means for releasing air therefrom at will, and from a distant point, whereby to operate the shutter operating mechanism of a camera.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the class described which will be extremely simple, durable, efiicient in operation and inexpensive to manufacture.

With these and other objects in view which will become apparent as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout the several figures, of which- Figure 1 represents a diagrammatical view of the assembled apparatus, showing the same in position ready for operation. Fig. 2 represents a vertical central sectional view through the air compressor. Fig. 3

` represents a plan view of the battery case,

with the top removed. Fig. 4 represents a vertical transverse sectional View taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, 5 indicates an ordinary and well known type of camera shutter operating mechanism, G indicates generally the air compressor, and 7 indicates the battery case in which a battery 8 (Fig. 3) is placed. The

air compressor is connected by a rubber tube 9 with the shutter operating mechanism, and it contains an electrically operable air release mechanism to be hereinafter described, which may be operated at will at the completion of an electrical circuit through the compressor and battery, and wires 10 connecting them as wilLbe subsequently pointed out.

The air compressor comprises an outer shell or cylinder 11, hermetically sealed at its lower end at 12, and provided at its up-` per end with a collar 13. The collar is threaded into the upper end of the outer cylinder and is adapted to prevent displacement of the inner cylinder or shell 14 from the outer cylinder. The inner shell 14 is slidable within the outer shell axially thereof, and at its upper end earries the head 15 and at its lower end is hermetically closed,r by the collar 16. The latter is providedzwith a threaded opening for receiving the exteriorly threaded sleeve 17 Sleeve 17 carries a peripheral fiange 18 exteriorly of the inner shell, and between said flange and collar 16 a leather or other suitable washer 19 is engaged. The washer forms a piston movable with the inner shell and adapted to co-actwith the inlet valve mechanism to be described, in attaining the compression of air within the inner shell. Said inlet valve mechanism comprises a valve stem 20 disposed axially within sleeve 17, and projecting at one end through an opening 21 in the inner closed end of the sleeve. The opposite end of the valve stem extends into the central bore of a threaded bushing 22 turned into the interiorly threaded lower end of sleeve 17. The bushing is headed at 23 whereby a fiber or other suitable washer 24 may be compressed against the lower end of sleeve 17 for forming an air-tight joint between said bushing and sleeve. A conical soft rubber or other suitable valve 25 is disposed upon lvalve stem 2O above the upper beveled end 26 of the bushing, and is adapted tobe normally closed against said bushing by action of the coiled spring 27 disposed upon stem 20 between the valve and the closed upper end of sleeve 17. .Y

A conducting socket 28 is carried by head 15, and is insulated therefrom by an insulating sleeve 29. The head is provided with a recess indicated in dotted lines at 30, and said recess and socket are adapted to receive a plug indicated generally at 31 to which the outer terminals of the Wires 10 are connected. Head 15 is provided with an exteriorly threaded depending annular flange 32, which carries at its lower end a collar 33. The collar 33 is secured to the iange and in turn supports an electromagnet 34. One terminal of the wiringof the latter is grounded at 35 to the core 36 of the magnet, while the other terminal 37 of said wire is conducted through an insulator 38 into an opening 39 provided in the sleeve 33 at one side thereof. Terminal 37 of the wire is connected by means of a brass sheet or strip 40 to which it is soldered, with the inner end of the socket 28 at 41. An insulating sheet 42 is disposed between brass strip 40 and the depending flange 32. The upper end of core 36 is axially bored, and contains a coiled spring 43. The latter engages a spring guide 44 at its upper end, said guide being slidable within the bore. The guide is provided with a socket for receiving the lower end of the outlet valve stem 45. The latter extends through and is secured to the armature 46 of the magnet, and on the opposite side of the armature from said magnet carries a conical soft rubber valve 47. The latter is adapted to control the exit of air through the opening 48 connecting the interior of the inner shell with a passage 49 drilled radially into the head 15 from one side thereof. The outer end of passage 49 is enlarged and threaded at 50 for receiving the nozzle 5l (Fig. 1) to which one end of tube 9 is connected.

The battery case comprises a rectangular body portion 52 closed on one side by a bottom 53 which at its edges is extended beyond and overhangs the body portion at 54. A top 55 is provided having an inner ilange 56 adapted to engage within the body 52 for providing a tight joint, said top being extended at its edges to provide the overhanging flanges 57. When the apparatus is not in use the flanges together with the body portion form a holder upon which the wiring 10 may be conveniently wound.

A metallic spring detent or leaf switch 58 is disposed upon and secured to bottom 53 near one end of the holder, said switch being insulated from the bottom at 59. A metallic terminal 60 is disposed upon the switch near one end and insulating therefrom at 61. One pole 62 of the battery 8 engages the terminal 60 while the battery is in position, and the other pole 63 of said battery is disposed in such relation to the switch 58 that depression of the latter will cause a contact between the switch and pole 63. A button 64 carried by the switch 58 projects through and is insulated from the bottom 53, whereby the switch may be readily manipulated by the operator. The wires are provided with insulation throughout their length except at their terminals Where they are connected respectively with the plug and with the switch 58 and contact 60.-

Upon depression of switch 58 an electrical circuit will be established through pole 63 of the battery, switch 58, one of the Wires 10, socket 28, brass strip 40, thence through the magnet winding, through the core of the magnet, shell 34 thereof, sleeve 33, flange 32, head 15, through the other wire, and thence back through contact 60 and pole 62 to the battery.

The operation of the device may be briefly described as follows: The inner and outer Shells14 and 11 respectively, are separated as far as possible relatively to each other, and when in this position an opening 65 in the outer shell 11 near the upper end thereof is uncovered by the piston, so that air and atmospheric pressure is admitted into the outer cylinder 1l. The cylinders are then compressed until the piston passes opening 65 on its inward stroke, and further movement of the cylinders compresses the air within the outer shell, hence opening valve 25 against the tension of spring 27 allowing the escape of compressed air from the outer into the inner cylinder 14. At the end of the inward stroke the valve 25 closes by action of spring 27, thus preventing escape of the compressed air at this point. The opening 39 in collar 33 allows the passage of the compressed air around the electromagnet and into the upper end of the inner shell. Energization of the electromagnet at the will of the operator by completion of the circuit described, will cause the movement of armature 46 toward the magnet, and against lthe action of spring 43, thus opening the outlet valve 47 and allowing escape of air through the passage 49, and tube 9 whereby to operate the shutter mechanism 5. The impulse given the armature may be instantaneous or for an extended period, according to whether the circuit is closed for a short or a long time, and thus eitherinstantaneous or time exposures may be made. Upon opening the circuit by the release of switch 58 sprino` 43 will instantly reclose valve 47 to cut 0% the How of air. A

Although I have described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I may desire to 'make such changes in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts thereof as do not depart from' the-spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an appanatus of the class described,

an outer shell, an inner shell adapted to telesco-pe within the outer shell, a piston carried by the inner shell, an inlet valve carried by the piston to allow the entrance of compressed air into the inner shell upon rela-v closed relatively to each other,` an outlet valve adapted t0 control the exit of compressed air from the inner shell, an electromagnet supported by the inner shell, said magnet having its core provided with a bore at one end, a spring disposed within the bored end of the core, a spring guide within the said bored end, awvalve stem supported at one end by the stem guide, said outlet valve being carried by said valve stem, a magnet armature. carried by said valve stem, and means for energizing the magnet at will.

1n a device of the class described, the combination of an inner shell, means for compressing air therein, an outlet valve for controlling the exit of compressed air from the inner shell, an electromagnet carried by the inner shell and adapted to control said outlet valve, a battery, means for carrying the same independently of the inner shell, a conducting socket carried by the inner shell, an electrical conductor between said socket and one 1end of the magnet winding, the opposite end of said winding being grounded in the magnet core, and means for establishing an electrical circuit through the magnet for controlling the outlet valve.l

4. In a device of the class described, an inner shell, a head, a depending flange provided on said head and threaded within said shell at one end thereof, a piston'carried at the opposite end of the shell, an inlet valve carried by the piston, means adapted to coact with said inner shell for forcing compressed air therein through said inlet valve, a sleeve carried by said depending flange, an electromagnet supported by said sleeve, an outlet vent formed in said head, said sleeve provided with `an opening. for forming communication between said inner shell and outlet vent, a valve f'or controlling the passage through said vent, an armature for the magnet, said valve being operable by movement of the armature, and means for energizing said magnet at will.

5. A device of the class described comprising an inner shell, means for compressing air therein, an outlet valve adapted to control the exit of air from said inner shell, an electromagnet adapted to control the operation of said valve, a head for said inner shell, a flange carried by said head and eX- tending within said shell, a sleeve supported by the flange, said electromagnet being supported by said sleeve, said sleeve provided at one side with' yan opening therein, a conducting plug carried by and insulated from said head, a conducting strip connected at one end with said plug and extended at its opposite end into the opening in said sleeve, one end of the magnet winding being connected to said opposite end of the conducting strip, an insulator disposed between said strip and said flange, the opposite end ot' said magnet being in electrical communication with said head, a battery, and means for throwing the magnet into electrical circuit with the battery.

6. An apparatus of the class described comprising .an outer shell, an inner shell telescoping therein and adapted when moved relatively to the outer shell, to compress air within the outer shell, an inlet valve controlling admission of compressed air to the inner shell, an outlet valve carried by the inner shell controlling tlre exit of compressed air from the inner-shell,and electrically operable means for controlling said outlet valve.

7. An apparatus of the class described comprising an inner shell having a head at one end thereof, and having an inlet valve at the opposite end thereof, means for forcing compressed air through said inlet valve into said shell, an exit vent provided in the head, an electromagnet supported within the inner shell, .a-v-alve operable by said magnet for controlling the passage through said exit opening, means for allowing passage of air from the inner shell around said electromagnet to the exit opening, and means for controlling said magnet.

8. An apparatus of the class described comprising an outer shell, an inner shell telescoping therein and adapted when moved relatively to the outer shell, to compress air within the outer shell, an inlet valve controlling admission of compressed air to the inner shell, an outlet valve carried by the inner shell controlling the exit of compressed air therefrom, a tube con necting the outlet valve with the shutter mechanism of a camera, and electrically operable means yfor controlling said outlet valve. a

9. An Aapparatus of the class described comprising an outer shell, an inner shell telescoping therein and adapted when moved relatively to the outer shell, to compress air within the outer shell, an inlet vulve controlling admission of compressed tery carried thereby, and means for estabair to the inner shell, ,an outlet valve carlishing electrical communication between 10 ried by the inner shell controlling the exit said battery and V.r lve controlling means.

of compressed air therefrom a tube comf municating with the outlet villve and with REW TROELL the shutter mechanism of u camera, an elec- Vitnesses:

trically operable means for controlling the RoBT. W. ATKINSON,

action of the outlet valve, a holder, a bat- WM. C. SGHORD. 

